Former Likud MK subject of sexual harassment probe

Former MK and deputy minister Michael Ratzon is the subject of a police
investigation after a number of employees submitted sexual harassment complaints
against him, it emerged on Sunday.

The allegations were made by a number
of female employees of NTA – Metropolitan Mass Transit System Ltd, where Ratzon
serves as chairman.

A report on Ynet, which broke the story, stated that
the allegations involve verbal harassment, and at least one case of physical
abuse.

Ratzon denied the claims outright in a 400-word statement he
released on Sunday, calling them part of a “planned, organized, and baseless
attack” meant to destroy his reputation.

Ratzon further alleged that the
complaints were organized by people within and outside of NTA, who disapproved
of the managerial decisions he had made and were looking to remove him from the
company, which manages the Tel Aviv light rail project.

“If even by
mistake I expressed myself in ways that hurt employees I take full
responsibility and apologize, but this is not whats happening,” said Ratzon, who
served as an MK for the Likud in the 13th and 16th Knessets.